Integrating Developmental Scholarship and Society: From Dissemination and Accountability to Evidence-Based Programming and Policies

Increasingly, practitioners and policy makers are demanding research evidence as a basis for funding programs and policies. The application of research to society has undergone several transitions, from a scholarly emphasis on the experimental method to an attempt to disseminate research and contribute to social policy. Policy makers have emphasized accountability and now evidence-based practices. Although developmental scholars should be pleased that policy makers want evidence, scholars need to examine the assumptions of evidence-based programming and continue to refine how evidence should be used to decide which services to fund. In addition, we propose a more collaborative strategy to promote evidence-based policies in general

Logarithmic scaling in the near-dissipation range of turbulence

A logarithmic scaling for structure functions, in the form $S_p \sim [\ln (r/\eta)]^{\zeta_p}$, where $\eta$ is the Kolmogorov dissipation scale and $\zeta_p$ are the scaling exponents, is suggested for the statistical description of the near-dissipation range for which classical power-law scaling does not apply. From experimental data at moderate Reynolds numbers, it is shown that the logarithmic scaling, deduced from general considerations for the near-dissipation range, covers almost the entire range of scales (about two decades) of structure functions, for both velocity and passive scalar fields. This new scaling requires two empirical constants, just as the classical scaling does, and can be considered the basis for extended self-similarity

Unified Multifractal Description of Velocity Increments Statistics in Turbulence: Intermittency and Skewness

The phenomenology of velocity statistics in turbulent flows, up to now, relates to different models dealing with either signed or unsigned longitudinal velocity increments, with either inertial or dissipative fluctuations. In this paper, we are concerned with the complete probability density function (PDF) of signed longitudinal increments at all scales. First, we focus on the symmetric part of the PDFs, taking into account the observed departure from scale invariance induced by dissipation effects. The analysis is then extended to the asymmetric part of the PDFs, with the specific goal to predict the skewness of the velocity derivatives. It opens the route to the complete description of all measurable quantities, for any Reynolds number, and various experimental conditions. This description is based on a single universal parameter function D(h) and a universal constant R*.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, Extended version, Publishe

Fusion Rules in Turbulent Systems with Flux Equilibrium

Fusion rules in turbulence specify the analytic structure of many-point correlation functions of the turbulent field when a group of coordinates coalesce. We show that the existence of flux equilibrium in fully developed turbulent systems combined with a direct cascade induces universal fusion rules. In certain examples these fusion rules suffice to compute the multiscaling exponents exactly, and in other examples they give rise to an infinite number of scaling relations that constrain enormously the structure of the allowed theory.Comment: Submitted to PRL on July 95, 4 pages, REVTe

Beyond scaling and locality in turbulence

An analytic perturbation theory is suggested in order to find finite-size corrections to the scaling power laws. In the frame of this theory it is shown that the first order finite-size correction to the scaling power laws has following form $S(r) \cong cr^{\alpha_0}[\ln(r/\eta)]^{\alpha_1}$, where $\eta$ is a finite-size scale (in particular for turbulence, it can be the Kolmogorov dissipation scale). Using data of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations it is shown shown that a degenerate case with $\alpha_0 =0$ can describe turbulence statistics in the near-dissipation range $r > \eta$, where the ordinary (power-law) scaling does not apply. For moderate Reynolds numbers the degenerate scaling range covers almost the entire range of scales of velocity structure functions (the log-corrections apply to finite Reynolds number). Interplay between local and non-local regimes has been considered as a possible hydrodynamic mechanism providing the basis for the degenerate scaling of structure functions and extended self-similarity. These results have been also expanded on passive scalar mixing in turbulence. Overlapping phenomenon between local and non-local regimes and a relation between position of maximum of the generalized energy input rate and the actual crossover scale between these regimes are briefly discussed.Comment: extended versio

Exact Resummations in the Theory of Hydrodynamic Turbulence: II A Ladder to Anomalous Scaling

In paper I of this series on fluid turbulence we showed that exact resummations of the perturbative theory of the structure functions of velocity differences result in a finite (order by order) theory. These findings exclude any known perturbative mechanism for anomalous scaling of the velocity structure functions. In this paper we continue to build the theory of turbulence and commence the analysis of nonperturbative effects that form the analytic basis of anomalous scaling. Starting from the Navier-Stokes equations (at high Reynolds number Re) we discuss the simplest examples of the appearance of anomalous exponents in fluid mechanics. These examples are the nonlinear (four-point) Green's function and related quantities. We show that the renormalized perturbation theory for these functions contains ``ladder`` diagrams with (convergent!) logarithmic terms that sum up to anomalous exponents. Using a new sum rule which is derived here we calculate the leading anomalous exponent and show that it is critical in a sense made precise below. This result opens up the possibility of multiscaling of the structure functions with the outer scale of turbulence as the renormalization length. This possibility will be discussed in detail in the concluding paper III of this series.Comment: PRE in press, 15 pages + 21 figures, REVTeX, The Eps files of figures will be FTPed by request to [email protected]

The TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA): Quasi-Global Precipitation Estimates at Fine Scales

The TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) provides a calibration-based sequential scheme for combining multiple precipitation estimates from satellites, as well as gauge analyses where feasible, at fine scales (0.25 degrees x 0.25 degrees and 3-hourly). It is available both after and in real time, based on calibration by the TRMM Combined Instrument and TRMM Microwave Imager precipitation products, respectively. Only the after-real-time product incorporates gauge data at the present. The data set covers the latitude band 50 degrees N-S for the period 1998 to the delayed present. Early validation results are as follows: The TMPA provides reasonable performance at monthly scales, although it is shown to have precipitation rate dependent low bias due to lack of sensitivity to low precipitation rates in one of the input products (based on AMSU-B). At finer scales the TMPA is successful at approximately reproducing the surface-observation-based histogram of precipitation, as well as reasonably detecting large daily events. The TMPA, however, has lower skill in correctly specifying moderate and light event amounts on short time intervals, in common with other fine-scale estimators. Examples are provided of a flood event and diurnal cycle determination

Cabozantinib in progressive medullary thyroid cancer

Purpose Cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and rearranged during transfection (RET), demonstrated clinical activity in patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in phase I. Patients and Methods We conducted a double-blind, phase III trial comparing cabozantinib with placebo in 330 patients with documented radiographic progression of metastatic MTC. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to cabozantinib (140 mg per day) or placebo. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Additional outcome measures included tumor response rate, overall survival, and safety. Results The estimated median PFS was 11.2 months for cabozantinib versus 4.0 months for placebo (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.40; P < .001). Prolonged PFS with cabozantinib was observed across all subgroups including by age, prior TKI treatment, and RET mutation status (hereditary or sporadic). Response rate was 28% for cabozantinib and 0% for placebo; responses were seen regardless of RET mutation status. Kaplan-Meier estimates of patients alive and progression-free at 1 year are 47.3% for cabozantinib and 7.2% for placebo. Common cabozantinib-associated adverse events included diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, decreased weight and appetite, nausea, and fatigue and resulted in dose reductions in 79% and holds in 65% of patients. Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 16% of cabozantinib-treated patients and in 8% of placebo-treated patients. Conclusion Cabozantinib (140 mg per day) achieved a statistically significant improvement of PFS in patients with progressive metastatic MTC and represents an important new treatment option for patients with this rare disease. This dose of cabozantinib was associated with significant but manageable toxicity

“A Faustian bargain?” Public voices on forensic DNA technologies and the National DNA Database

This article draws on the idea of the ‘forensic imaginary’ (Williams 2010) to explore UK public perspectives on the place, role and significance of forensic DNA technologies, both independent of and in relation to other genetic applications. Using correspondents’ replies to the Spring 2006 Mass Observation Directive ‘Genes, Genetics and Cloning’, the analysis focuses on continuities and tensions in their discursive repertoires. The argument examines (a) the ways in which knowledge is made sense of in these accounts, and (b) the discrepancy between an appreciation of the benefits of using DNA identification techniques in police work and a more critical attitude towards a wider national DNA database. The conclusion reflects on the need for a wider scope in research on public understandings of science, which looks beyond targeted consultations and specific publics, and provides more textured data to document collective views on the development and governance of forensic DNA technologies

Metaphors in search of a target: the curious case of epigenetics

Carrying out research in genetics and genomics and communicating about them would not be possible without metaphors such as "information," "code," "letter" or "book." Genetic and genomic metaphors have remained relatively stable for a long time but are now beginning to shift in the context of synthetic biology and epigenetics. This article charts the emergence of metaphors in the context of epigenetics, first through collecting some examples of metaphors in scientific and popular writing and second through a systematic analysis of metaphors used in two UK broadsheets. Findings show that while source domains for metaphors can be identified, such as our knowledge of electrical switches or of bookmarks, it is difficult to pinpoint target domains for such metaphors. This may be indicative both of struggles over what epigenetics means for scientists (natural and social) and of difficulties associated with talking about this, as yet, young field in the popular press